Tiffani Thiessen’s active lifestyle has been interrupted by a painful hip condition that will require surgery. The “Saved by the Bell” star, 52, revealed during an appearance on the “Breaking Bread with Tom Papa” podcast that she needs a hip replacement, as reported [1] by Page Six.
Thiessen said she initially learned that she had a torn labrum, but a second opinion brought another diagnosis. The actress was told she has hip dysplasia, prompting her to jokingly compare herself to a German shepherd.
“I was a dancer when I was younger, which was a good thing,” Thiessen explained. She then disclosed one of the problems troubling her hip, saying, “I have a torn labrum.”
The second opinion revealed that the damage extended beyond that initial issue. “And then I found out going to my second opinion that I’m basically a German shepherd,” she said.
Thiessen followed that joke with the diagnosis itself, saying, “I have hip dysplasia.” She suggested that the flexibility that helped her as a young dancer might also have contributed to the problems she now faces.
Despite the pain and the prospect of surgery, Thiessen appeared to be looking for reasons to remain hopeful about the procedure. “I hear that hip replacements aren’t as bad as knee and shoulder,” she added.
The condition has already disrupted one of Thiessen’s favorite activities. She has stopped playing pickleball in recent weeks because her hip pain became too severe for her to continue.
“My doctor didn’t say it was pickleball, but it probably hasn’t helped,” Thiessen admitted. She added, “I have not been able to play in the last couple weeks because my hip’s been so bad.”
Thiessen often plays pickleball with her son, who took up the sport less than a year ago. She said he has started defeating her, though she made sure to point out that she has been competing with a painful disadvantage.
“He’s actually starting to beat me now,” she said. Thiessen quickly emphasized the condition affecting her performance, adding, “But I do have a bad hip.”
Although her physical activity has slowed, Thiessen has no intention of walking away from her acting career. She began modeling and appearing in commercials as a child before winning the Miss Junior America title in 1987.
Her major breakthrough arrived in 1989 when she was cast as Kelly Kapowski on “Saved by the Bell.” The popular character established Thiessen as a teen idol and became one of the defining roles of her career.
Thiessen later joined the cast of “Beverly Hills, 90210” in 1994 as Valerie Malone. The scheming character gave her an opportunity to move beyond the wholesome teenage roles with which audiences had associated her.
Decades after her breakthrough, Thiessen said her central career ambition is simply continuing to receive opportunities to work. Rather than focusing on a specific award, film, or collaborator, she said being able to keep doing what she loves matters most.
“It’s more just wanting to continue to have the opportunity to do it,” she said. Thiessen acknowledged that opportunities can become less plentiful with age, making her continued career particularly meaningful to her.
The actress also credited younger colleagues with helping her maintain a youthful outlook on set. “I think they’re keeping me young,” she said while describing the contrast between her own exhaustion during early morning work and younger actors making TikToks.
Thiessen currently stars as Miss Graves in “Coven Academy.” Her character is the head of a supernatural boarding school for young witches and warlocks.
She also voiced the superhero She-Hulk in the 2024 animated special “LEGO Marvel Avengers: Mission Demolition.” Even as her hip condition forces a physical slowdown and an eventual replacement, Thiessen remains focused on continuing the career she still loves.